Activists point to mobilizations as the reason why CBA
choose to reverse course.Facing a large backlash, resignations, and protests, the
Canadian Bar Association (CBA) has decided that it will not make an
intervention at the Canadian Supreme Court in the case involving Chevron
Corporation's contamination of the Ecuadorian rainforest.

In a letter sent to members, CBA president Michele Hollins
stated “The [Legislation and Law Reform] Committee concluded that while the
factum was well-drafted and of a high standard of quality, it did not meet the
specific requirements of CBA’s Intervention Policy. Consequently, under the
terms of the Intervention Policy, the CBA came to the conclusion that without
the certification of the factum, the Intervention could not move forward and
would be withdrawn.”

Although the previous letter to members made mention of
opposition to the CBA intervention, this second letter did not. Santiago
Escobar, a member of the Anti Chevron Committee of Canada, in an interview with
teleSUR stated "The CBA won't admit this but they withdrew because of the
protests they were facing, they knew that they couldn't be seen supporting a
corporation that has negatively affected the lives of so many Indigenous people
in Ecuador."

The CBA's legislative and law reform committee had
recommended against proceeding. Meanwhile the environment, aboriginal, and
civil litigation committees has urged the CBA not to intervene on behalf of
Chevron. Kathryn Deo, who had resigned from the CBA in protest told the Globe
and Mail “I’m sure it was a difficult decision but it was clearly the right decision
and we are appreciative of their courage in reversing course.” Lawyers in
Canada were upset that the board of the CBA had authorized a law firm with ties
to Chevron, Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, to submit the brief.

At issue is whether the Ecuadorian plaintiffs can seize the
assets of Chevron corporation in Canada in order to collect a USD $9.5 Million
judgment against Chevron for the contamination it cause in the Lago Agrio
region. The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that the case could indeed be heard. Chevron
has appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada, which will hear the case in early
December of this year. Chevron maintains that courts in Canada have no
jurisdiction in this case, should the Supreme Court rule against them, the full
judgment could be collected and paid to the Ecuadorian plaintiffs.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, October 19, 2014 - The Anti-Chevron Canada
Committee welcomes the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA) decision to withdraw
its application for intervener status in the case between Chevron Corporation
and the Indigenous people of Ecuador.

This is clearly the right decision and we are indebted to
member lawyers who had the courage to speak out and uphold justice. Through the
collective action of these courageous lawyers, the forthright commitment to
justice principles of law students, and the actions of concerned community
members, the Association was pressured to do the right thing.

Together these groups proved not only that the requirements
of the Intervention Policy of the CBA were not met, but also that corporate law
interests do not come before human rights.

The acts of Chevron affect us all. Chevron polluted the
Amazon rainforest, regarded as the world’s botanical treasure, which contains
unknown pharmaceutical possibilities and is considered the lungs of the world.
More than 20 percent of the world’s oxygen is produced here. Chevron
Corporation is operating within one global entity and therefore, their corporate
social responsibility should be enforced globally.

The hundreds of oil wells and pools of waste left behind by
Chevron Corporation in Ecuador also continue to negatively affect the lives and
wellbeing of the Indigenous people living in this region. By North American
standards this is a public health crisis of immeasurable proportions: water
that is essential for daily activities is contaminated and continues to affect
thousands of people. The high prevalence in rates of cancer, miscarriages and other
illnesses show that the careless dumping by Chevron was a violent act inflicted
on innocent people.

Chevron Canada was created by Chevron Corp capital and
operates in Canada trading under the same symbol (i.e. CVX) on the Toronto
Stock Exchange. Chevron operates transnationally, picking and choosing its
countries of interest, and packing up and leaving when convenient. Justice must
function equally across and within national borders.

This case will be heard before the Supreme Court of Canada
in early December. The litigation is precedent setting and has important
implications for the Indigenous community of northern B.C. over unceded
Wet’suwet’en territory at the Unis’tot’en Camp, currently blockading Chevron
and other companies, and for other communities globally that have been affected
by Chevron’s unethical practices.